Microsoft hires former Steam boss to improve Windows as a gaming platform

Microsoft has managed to muster up Valve’s former employee Jason Holtman, to work on “making Windows a great platform for gaming and interactive entertainment.”

Holtman was a Valve employee for eight years, involved with developer relations. He was responsible for bagging in big-name publishers to partner with the now hugely successful client Steam.

“Yes, I have joined Microsoft where I will be focusing on making Windows a great platform for gaming and interactive entertainment,” he said. “I think there is a lot of opportunity for Microsoft to deliver the games and entertainment customers want and to work with developers to make that happen, so I’m excited to be here.”

Holtman was the primary point of contact for developers that distributed games on Steam, and thus, a driving force to the massive popularity Steam enjoys now. Known as a tough negotiator and skilled dealmaker, Holtman is largely credited for convincing triple-A publishers such as EA, Activision and Ubisoft to sell their games directly on Steam.

Holtman was also responsible for recruiting other smaller companies, allowing them to sell their games on Steam. These companies would have been non-existent if it wasn’t for Steam.

By principal, Microsoft has made the right business move by hiring Holtman, since the Games for Windows Live service that Microsoft offers is viewed as a mere inconvenience rather that a full fledged service in the PC gaming world. Holtman could prove to be invaluable to Microsoft with the experience he brings in.

PC is not the only side to Holtman’s new profile. Digital distribution is said to the future and will dominate in the upcoming next-gen consoles, so Holtman could give a hand or two in that department.